It is a bad idea not to play them right now. They should play them at least this part of the season. They need to get a feel of the O and D. They also need to get a feel of the new guys. They need to get a feel of what the rotation will be in the playoffs.

They'd be in the line-up if the team thought they were ready to go. Shaq will probably be part of the postseason line-up, may be only a week away. JO, however, is more of a "when is Daddy coming home?" situation.

1.) Shaq is not injured. His *injuries* are that he's 39 years old and that he's, well, Shaq, and thus entitled to take an inter-season vacation if he feels like it.

2.) There are indictaions coming from within the organization that JO will be ready for the playoffs. They are holding him back because there's no real reason to bring him back just yet (while they work in all the new guys) and to give him as much time as possible.

1.) Shaq is not injured. His *injuries* are that he's 39 years old and that he's, well, Shaq, and thus entitled to take an inter-season vacation if he feels like it.

2.) There are indictaions coming from within the organization that JO will be ready for the playoffs. They are holding him back because there's no real reason to bring him back just yet (while they work in all the new guys) and to give him as much time as possible.

Hope that helps.

This.

JO sucks. Why are we talking about JO? We talking about JO? I mean listen, we're sitting here talking about JO; not a player, not a player, not player, but we're talking about JO.